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2018 New Year’s Greetings from His Eminence Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani

The Gomonshu is the spiritual head of our denomination based in Kyoto, Japan. The current Gomonshu is His Eminence Monshu Kojun Ohtani, the 25th-generation descendant of Shinran Shonin to head the Hongwanji. Here is his New Year’s message.

At the beginning of this New Year, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you.

Last September, I had the opportunity to visit the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii as Monshu for the first time. It was wonderful to have met with so many people at each temple, and I would like to extend my appreciation for everyone’s warm hospitality.

At Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, from October 1, 2016 until this past May 31, the Commemoration on the Accession of the Jodo Shinshu Tradition was conducted with attendance of about one hundred fifty thousand people from throughout Japan and our overseas sanghas. Since the days of our founder Shinran Shonin, for nearly 800 years, the Jodo Shinshu teaching has been cherished and carefully handed down to us today by our predecessors. Reflecting on this, I am truly grateful to have been able to recite the Nembutsu together with many of you who took part in the services whether it be in person or through the internet.

Being enabled to hear the working of Amida Buddha’s voice calling to us, we become aware of our true self, in which we have the difficulty of accepting things just as they are, and being caught up in our own selfish mindset. That is why it becomes all the more important that we continue to listen to the teaching of Amida. As we appreciate the Buddha’s great wisdom and compassion, we are naturally guided to care for and aspire to live together with one another.

In this New Year, let us continue to listen to the teaching while following the Nembutsu path together with everyone.

This Sunday, December 9, is the Honolulu Marathon and 10K. For the fifth year in a row, Pacific Buddhist Academy has fielded a Run / Walk for Peace Team that has grown to a record number of 15 members, including students, parents, and faculty/staff!

December 3, 2018 Benediction for the 2018 Inauguration of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai’i By Rev. Eric Matsumoto Bishop, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii All-Inclusive Wisdom and All-Embracing Compassion/Buddha of Infinite Light and Immeasurable Life, at

Today, Zen meditation class will be held at the Meeting Room No 1 of the Buddhist Study Center (BSC) at 6: 00 pm. In Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism), there is no tradition to practice meditation, but the BSC is aiming to help, support, and contribute to our community including other Buddhist traditions. So the people who would like to practice meditation are also very welcome at the BSC. If you have any questions about the class, please call to 808-371-1068. ...